EXETER ó In a new structure this year for human services funding, a town subcommittee chose not to give money to the New Hampshire SPCA, a decision that is getting push-back from an Exeter selectwoman.

During an Aug. 21 meeting, Selectwoman Anne Surman publicly expressed her disappointment the Stratham-based nonprofit focused on animal rescue was denied its requested $1,400. Each year, the town of Exeter distributes $100,000 to various organizations assisting Exeter residents. For the first time, the $100,000, which was usually approved by voters as a warrant article, was added to the operating budget, leaving the distribution to a subcommittee of volunteer members.

The SPCA was the only group denied funding this year, out of 21 organizations requesting money.

"I'm extremely disappointed in the fact that any organization we've supported for at least 20 years, that we then decide to un-fund altogether," Surman said. "I have a real concern with what went on with that committee. I think it was a poor decision on their part to not fund an organization that I know our police department works with on a regular basis."

During budget season, Surman was opposed to making the human services funding part of the operating budget and wanted voters to be able to see each organization they're funding on the ballot at Town Meeting.

Subcommittee member Chris Soutter went before the Board of Selectmen Monday night to defend the decision to direct the funds to other organizations.

"While all the members of the human services committee are personal supporters of the NHSPCA, we did have to eliminate any agencies that do not serve Exeter residents' basic human needs," Soutter said. "In addition, before we made that decision, we did confirm that the town does offer support to the organization. The Exeter Police Department pays $750 in contract fees to the SPCA for animals the town surrenders to this location."

Soutter said as a "dog lover and rescue dog owner," she personally supports the SPCA. However, when the human services committee was formed, there was no existing criteria for screening organizations for funding and committee members were left with the task of doing so.

"The human services committee is just that, it provides supplemental funding to agencies that support the basic human needs of our residents," Soutter said. Decisions by the committee, she said, were made with "careful thought, research and lively discussion."

"It was not easy, but we had to create some sort of parameters," Soutter said.†

Surman thanked Soutter for coming to the meeting, but said she continued to believe the SPCA was a worthwhile organization residents of Exeter enjoyed supporting.

"I think if I were the SPCA, I would be wondering kind of what happened," Surman said.

Lisa Dennison, executive director of the SPCA, said was she "truly disappointed" by the decision.†

"When a family comes to the SPCA to surrender an animal, weíre working with the family," Dennison said. "When a family comes to adopt an animal, weíre working with the family. When somebody says, 'We have to work with organizations that works with people,' thatís what we do every day, every single day. I think thatís one of the biggest misconceptions about the work that we do, that we only work with animals. The animals donít walk in alone and they donít leave alone."

Dennison said the SPCA provides needed community services including programming for children, helping police locate lost animals and providing shelter for animals with owners experiencing homelessness or domestic violence.

"When we talk about programming for children, we're really teaching about compassion and responsibility, advocacy," Dennison said. "Thereís a lot of ways in which we work with people."

Dennison noted the SPCA is not funded by the state or federally. "Regardless if it's $500 or $5,000, every contribution adds up and makes a difference," she said. "We are caring for these animals 365 days a year."

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